Manchin backs Collins against Schumer's re-election challenge

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 19:57 · Archive

Former Democratic senator Joe Manchin campaigned with Republican Susan Collins in Maine, calling Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 'crazy' for trying to unseat her.

Former Democratic senator Joe Manchin joined Republican Susan Collins on the campaign trail in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday, calling Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 'crazy' for attempting to unseat her. Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in 2024 and retired from the Senate in 2025, described Collins as 'the soul of the Senate' and 'the soul of America'.

When asked whether his appearance alongside Collins amounted to criticism of Schumer, Manchin said the Senate Democratic leader should not be surprised. 'Me being with my dear friend, there is no surprise there at all,' he said. 'I told him he was crazy in 2020 for working against her so hard, and he's crazy now to work against her.' Manchin served alongside Collins for years and backed her in previous elections, including in 2020 when she voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Collins is fighting for a sixth six-year term representing Maine. She faces a challenging re-election race against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, which recent polls indicate is a toss-up. Collins is the only Republican senator seeking re-election in a state Donald Trump lost in 2024. Democrats have made her seat a priority in their efforts to reclaim control of the Senate, with Schumer targeting her in both the 2020 and 2026 election cycles.

How it is being reported

• Manchin rips Schumer for working against ‘dear friend’ Susan Collins: ‘he’s crazy’Former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin took a swipe at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Wednesday for working to oust his “dear friend” Sen. Susan Collins — calling him “crazy” for targeting the Maine Republican. Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in 2024 to become an independent before retiring from the Senate in 2025, joined Collins on...New York Post · 21 Oct, 19:45
• Manchin calls Schumer 'crazy' for trying to oust GOP senator in crucial Senate showdownJoe Manchin called Chuck Schumer "crazy" for trying to unseat Susan Collins as he joined the Maine senator on the campaign trail in Lewiston.Fox News · 21 Oct, 18:06

In this story: Joe Manchin · Susan Collins · Chuck Schumer · Troy Jackson · Maine · Democratic Party · Republican Party

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